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u. g .L 2 a V E a I 3 A t Q e e t 3 K United States Patent 3,387,277 SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ADDRESSING A CYCLICAL MEMORY BY THE STORED CON- TENTS THEREOF Edwin Singer, Stamford, and Ambros Geissler, Wilton,

Conn., assignors to Telecontrol Corporation, a corporation of Ohio Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 437,781, Mar. 8, 1965. This application Sept. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 484,522

34 Claims. (CI. 340-1725) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A magnetic drum stores data pertaining to plural input stations. The location of stored data for each input station is referenced to an address stored in a drum address track. Data in a search register is compared with the data content of an appropriate drum track. Upon comparison, an output signal issues to cause address circuitry to retain the address associated with the data in the search register. This address is then compared with the address track readout to provide a selected address signal for locating other data associated with the same input station as that in the search register.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application for Automatic Monitoring Systems and Apparatus, Ser. No. 437,781, filed Mar. 8, 1965, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

The present invention also relates to automatic monitoring systems and apparatus for continuously monitoring from a central point individual ones of a plurality of remote operating stations. Changeable or dynamic data from each station is accumulated in associated cyclical memories which also store semi-permanent or static data pertaining to each station. The dynamic data and static data are read from the associated cyclical, memories individully or in collated form as messages pertaining to each station. The present invention is particularly directed to apparatus for readily addressing the associated cyclical memories in order to locate selected data stored therein. The invention is further specifically directed to apparatus for transferring selected data to and from the associated cyclical memories pursuant to the performance of a desired operating function.

The invention is specifically described herein with reference to a production monitoring application. However, the invention has broad applicability to the handling of data developed by a plurality of individual stations, regardless of their character. Further, the apparatus of the invention specifically directed to addressing associated cyclical memories, and to transferring data to and from associated cyclical memories have wide applications in fields other than production monitoring.

Efficient management of large industrial establishments requires accurate, upto-date information relative to the production and status of the total industrial operation. This proposition was discussed in the above-noted copending application. The overall function of the system disclosed in this application and in the above-noted copending application is to provide a communication link between operating management and the industrial production area. Making current production and status information of individual production machines readily available to management facilitates the efficient scheduling of work. Men, material and tools may be readily assigned to appropriate machines in advance of the time when they become needed. Thus, unnecessary shutdowns are avoided. Abnormalities in production and complete breakdown at any machine can be immediately brought to the attention of appropriate personnel, and measures to rectify the situation can be immediately implemented.

Inventory can be more accurately controlled on the basis of the production and status information gathered from the production area. Thus, over and under production runs, as well as over and under inventory buying, can be eliminated.

The gathering of up-to-date production and status information from the production area to a central point provides for better utilization of personnel. Timekeepers and production expediters are no longer needed in the production area. Material handlers, inspectors and maintenance personnel can be directed to problem areas which become known at the central point. The normal shop paper work required of the supervisory foreman is materially reduced, leaving more time to concentrate on production problems. The foreman can be readily providcd with data analysis of production operations in their charge and may thereby provide a basis for the improvement of production efficiency while jobs are running. Operating management no longer has to tour the plant but may merely visit the central control point to see how a particular job is running. Moreover, the information accumulated at the central point can be made readily available to management on hard copy for their study. In addition, the information gathered at the central point can be fed to data processing equipment for the computation of the payroll, or for future production scheduling.

All of the advantages noted above are achieved by the system and apparatus of the above-noted copending application, Ser. No. 437,781. The system and apparatus of the present invention also achieves these advantages, and has the additional capability of more readily locating desired information from the total accumulation of information gathered at the central point from the production area. In the system of the copending application, the accumulated information is stored in a cyclical memory, specifically disclosed as a magnetic drum. Each machine station is assigned predetermined locations or slots on the magnetic drum in which the static and dynamic data pertaining thereto is stored. These slots are located by means of an address track in which are recorded addresses corresponding to each machine station. In order to locate specific data on the drum for readout, or a specific drum slot in which to record data, the operator must address the drum solely through the address track. Thus, for examples, if it is desired to determine the current production data pertaining to a particular job, the operator must refer to a separate index indicating what jobs are being worked on at the various machine stations. Then, appropriate address buttons, one being assigned to each machine station, are depressed to, in effect, select the addresses corresponding to those machine stations from the address track on the drum. Then, and only then, can the desired information be obtained from the drum. Thus, in the system of the copending application, there is no provision for searching for a particular job number, employee number, etc., directly.

The system disclosed and claimed in the above-noted copending application also required separate apparatus for the entry of static data or static correction of dynamic data from the console into the drum and for reading out selected data either for display or output to an output device. This is disadvantageous in that separate electronic data handling apparatus must be provided to perform the two functions.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for addressing a cyclical memory.

An additional object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above character for locating selected data stored in associated cyclical memories.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above character operating to readily determine if and where selected data is stored in associated cyclical memories.

Another object is to provide apparatus of the above character for finding selected storage locations in associated cyclical memories.

Still another object of the invention is to provide data searching apparatus of the above character.

A yet further object is to provide apparatus of the above character operating in conjunction with other apparatus of the invention to facilitate the transfer of selected data to and from associated cyclical memories.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above character for collating associated data as stored in associated cyclical memories and as transferred therefrom to an output device.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the above character for processing collated data such that it is transferred to an acceptable format to an output device.

Another object is to provide apparatus of the above character for locating and transferring data from associated cyclical memories either on a selected individual basis, a manually sequencing basis, or on an automatically sequencing basis for total data transfer.

Yet another object is to provide apparatus of the above character for locating and transferring selected data, and all other data associated therewith, from associated cyclical memories for optical display at a data monitoring point.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a data collection system employing apparatus of the above character.

An additional object is to provide a system and apparatus of the above character for continuously monitoring each one of a plurality of operating stations on an individual basis and accumulating associated data pertaining to events occurring and conditions prevailing thereat in associated cyclical memories for ultimate transfer therefrom either on a selected individual station basis, a manually sequencing station basis, or automatically sequencing station basis to a utilization device.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURES 1A and 1B when joined in the manner indicated in FIGURE 1C form an overall block diagram of the disclosed embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a physical layout of a portion of the magnetic drum of FIGURE 1A showing the preferred physical relationship of the locations in which are recorded the various kinds of data processed by the system and apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a diagram of the various electronic logic elements employed in the specific embodiment of the invention disclosed, together with signal diagrams illustrating the logic functions;

FIGURE 4 is a timing diagram of the various clock pulses recorded on the magnetic drum of FIGURE 1A used for synchronizing the operation of the system and apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 5A is a detailed logic block diagram of a digit counter used to generate digit timing signals;

FIGURE 53 is a detailed logic block diagram of a bit counter used to generate bit timing signals;

FIGURE 6 is a timing diagram of the digit and bit timing signals generated by the digit and bit counters of FIGURES 5A and 5B;

FIGURE 7 is a detailed logic block diagram of the keyboard entry circuit and a portion of the shift control circuit of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 8 is an interrupted detail logic block diagram of the search register of FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 9 is a block diagram of the data register of FIGURE 18 and a logic block diagram of a portion of the shift control circuit of FIGURE 18;

FIGURE 10 is a detailed logic block diagram of the address register of FIGURE 1B;

FIGURE 11 is a detailed logic block diagram of the address extension register of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 12 is a detailed logic block diagram of the address comparator of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 13 is a detailed logic block diagram of the static/dynamic data synchronizer and data comparator of FIGURES 1A and 1B; and

FIGURES l4 and 15 are detailed logic block diagrams of the search and output control circuit of FIGURE 1B.

Corresopnding reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

General description A general understanding of the present invention may be gained from reference to FIGURES 1A and 1B which, when joined together as indicated in FIGURE lC, form an overall block diagram of the system. According to the disclosed application of the invention, a plurality of remotely located machine stations 20, of which only three are shown in FIGURE 1B, each supply binary coded production data inputs over lines 20a and 20b to switching logic circuitry 22 located in a central office. As disclosed in detail in the above-noted copending application Scr. No. 437,781, which is incorporated herein by reference, the individual machine stations 20 supply binary coded piece count data over lines 20a and binary coded time count data over lines 20b to the central otfice. This piece count and time count data is referred to a dynamic data because of its changing character. The piece count data inputs may be generated at the individual machine stations by a machine acutated switch operated upon the completed manufacture of a piece thereat. The time count data inputs on lines 20b may be generated by a time count switch which is manipulated to one of two switch positions depending upon whether that machine station is on productive time or down time.

Referring now to FIGURE 1A of the overall block diagram, a cyclical memory such as a magnetic drum 24 is provided with an address track 26 in which discrete address words are recorded in serial binary bit format; each address word corresponding to a different machine station 20. As the magnetic drum 24 rotates, the address words are read from the drum address track 26 in repeating sequence by a read head 28. The address words are successively supplied over electrical connection 29 to an address register 30. Once each complete address word is entered in address register 30, it is transferred in parallel bit fashion over output lines 31 to a decoderscanner 32.

The decoder-scanner 32 translates each binary coded address word into straight decimal by energizing a particular one of a plurality of scanner output lines, generally indicated at 34. These scanner output lines 34 are applied to the switching logic circuitry 22 along with the dynamic data inputs from the individual machine stations 20. The energized one of the scanner output lines 34 is connected in the switching logic circuitry 22 so as to interrogate the machine station 20 corresponding to the decimally decoded address word by sampling the binary signal conditions on lines 20a and 20b connecting that machine station to the switching logic circuitry. Consequently, as each address word is read out in repeating sequence, the machine stations 20 corresponding thereto are interrogated in corresponding repeated sequence. The manner in which this interrogation is accomplished as well as the construction of the decoder-scanner 32 and the switching logic circuitry 22 is specifically disclosed in the above-noted copending application Ser. No. 437,- 781.

As the result of each interrogation in sequence, a piece count input PCI is supplied on line 36 connected from the switching logic circuitry 22 to piece count logic circuitry 38 (FIGURE 1A). At the same time, accumulated piece count data recorded in a piece count track section 40 of the magnetic drum 24 and corresponding to the interrogated machine station is read out by a read head 42 and supplied over connection 43 to the piece count logic circuitry 38. The piece count data stored in track section 40 constitutes an accumulated count of the number of pieces made at each of the machine stations 20. The piece count data for each machine station is in the form of a discrete binary coded word plus a status bit or fiag indicative of the status of the piece count input PCI when the corresponding machine station 20 was last interrogated. The piece count logic circuitry 38 operates to compare the flag bit with the existing piece count input PCI in order to determine whether, since the last interrogation, a piece was made at that particular machine station. If it is determined that no piece was made, the accumulated piece count word, as recorded in the piece count track section 40, is left unaltered. On the other hand, if it is determined that a piece has since been made, the piece count logic circuitry updates the accumulated piece count word by 1 (adds a decimal l to the accumulated piece count) and supplies the updated piece count word over connection 44 to be recorded by a write head 45 at the same location in piece count track section 40 occupied by the corresponding piece count word when read out by the read head 42. The manner in which this is accomplished as well as the apparatus of the piece count logic circuitry 38 is specifically disclosed in the above-noted copending application.

In corresponding fashion, a time count input TCI developed as the result of each interrogation is supplied over line 46 connected from the switching logic circuitry 22 to time count logic circuitry 48 (FIGURE 1A). At the same time, the accumulated time count word recorded in a time count track section 50 and corresponding to the interrogated machine station is read out by a read head 52 and supplied over line 53 to the time count logic circuitry 48. Each accumulated time count word has two parts; one being an accumulation of productive time and the other part an accumulation of down time at the corresponding machine station 20. The time count input TCI applied to the time count logic circuitry 48 indicates whether the interrogated machine station 20 is on production time or down time. A clock (not shown) included in the time count logic circuitry 48 periodically generates a timing pulse which signals the time count logic circuitry to update either the accumulated production time portion or the accumulated down time portion of each time count word read from the drum track section 50 depending upon the corresponding time count input TCI. The updated time count words are supplied over line 55 to a write head 56 for recording in the time count track section 50 at the same location occupied by the correspond ing time count word when read out by the read head 52. Thus each accumulated time count word, upon occurrence of a timing pulse, is appropriately updated during the interval required for interrogation of all of the machine stations 20 in one complete sequence. The manner in which this is accomplished together with the specific apparatus of the time count logic circuitry 48 is specifically disclosed in the above-noted copending application.

Associated with the individual piece count words recorded in track section 40, the time count words recorded in track section 50 and the address words recorded in drum address track 26 are various semipermanent or static data words recorded in drum tracks 60, 62, and 64. For example, there may be recorded in drum track 60 coded employee numbers identifying the employee operating the industrial machine at the various machine stations 20. In drum track 62 there may be recorded coded job numbers identifying the particular job on which the various machine stations are working. The identification numbers of the machines at the various machine stations 20 may be stored in coded form in drum track 64. Each of the recorded data words pertaining to a particular machine station 20 occupy corresponding relative locations in their respective drum tracks. Inasmuch as the static data recorded in drum tracks 60, 62, 64 is relatively unchanging as compared to the dynamic data stored in drum tracks 40 and 50, entry and readout of the static data tracks may be carried out by dual function read/ write heads 61, 63, and 65 sharing a common read/ write gated amplifier 66 as disclosed in the above-noted copending application Serial No. 437,781.

Now that the static and dynamic data words pertaining to the various machine stations 20 are recorded on the magnetic drum 24, it will eventually become necessary to locate selected data words on the drum for readout, or a selected track location for recording externally generated data words. Thus, means must be provided for addressing the drum 24 which may be considered as a plurality of associated cyclical memories; each drum track being a cyclical memory commonly associated in that they are carried by a single drum 24. In the system of the abovenoted copending application, addressing the drum is accomplished solely by way of the drum address track. Thus, if it was desired to determine up-to-date production data for a particular employee, the console operator had to refer to an index giving the particular machine station (address word) where he is working. Then the operator must press the address button associated with that machine station and when that machine station is interrogated in the normal course of updating dynamic data (interrogation), a selected address signal SAD is generated. This selected address signal SAD occurs at a time when the dynamic and static data recorded on the drum 24 for that machine station is acccssable by the various read and write heads. It will thus be seen that there is no provision in the system of the abovemoted copending application for directly locating recorded static and dynamic data directly by means of employee number, job number, machine number, or for that matter piece count or time count. It will be understood that as a practical matter, drum addressing would not be generally performed on the basis of dynamic data but rather on the basis of one of the various static data words.

To overcome this deficiency of the system disclosed in the above-noted copending application, according to the present invention a particular data word to be located on the drum 24, whether address word, employee number, job number, machine number, piece count word, or time count word, is entered by means of a keyboard entry circuit 68 located at the console 70. The keyboard entry circuit 68 translates the depression of a decimal digit key into a binary coded digit KRI transmitted over connection 71 for entry into a search register 72 (FIGURE 18). The Word entered digit by digit is displayed optically at the console 70 by a search display unit 73. The console operator then depresses an appropriate button at the control panel 74 identifying the type of word entered into the search register 72. The control panel 74 conditions track select circuitry 76 over control cable 77 accordingly. It will be understood from the description to follow that the track select circuitry 76 actually performs a word select function. The track select circuitry 76 supplies an appropriate output signal over a control cable 78 to a static/dynamic data synchronizer circuit 80 as well as to the read/write gate amplifier 66. If for example a particular employee number has been entered into the search register 72 and this fact has been duly indicated to the track select circuitry 76, the read/write gated amplifier 66 is conditioned by the signal from the track select circuitry on cable 78 so as to enable the read/write head 61 to read out employee numbers from the employee number track 60 and to transmit these coded employee number words as static data outputs SDO over connection 82 to the static/ dynamic data synchronizer 80. The synchronizer 80 is also conditioned by the track select circuitry 76 over cable 78 to pass the coded employee number words as main store outputs MSO over connections 83 and 84 to a serial comparator 86. At the same time, address words from the address register 30 are being continuously applied over line 85 as another separate input AUA to the static/ dynamic data synchronizer 80. Similarly, accumulated piece count words and accumulated time count words are continuously applied over lines 87 and 88, respectively, as separate inputs FAA and TAA to the static/dynamic data synchronizer 80. In the situation where an employee number word is to be searched, the static/ dynamic data synchronizer 80 ignores the address word inputs AUA and the dynamic data word inputs TAA, FAA and passes only the employee number words as the main store outputs MSO. It will be seen that the system of the present invention has the capability of selecting any of the inputs to the synchronizer 80 as main store outputs MSO with the selection of the kind of static data words being accomplished by appropriate conditioning of the read/ write gated amplifier 66.

Assuming that a selected employee number is to be located, the console operator depresses a search command button (not shown) at the control panel 74 applying a search command signal SC over line 89 to a search and output control circuit 90. In response thereto, the search and output control circuit 90 conditions the search register 72 over line 91 such that the employee number word stored therein is continuously recirculated from its output SRO over line 92 and back to its input. At the same time, the recirculated employee number word SRO is applied to the other input of the comparator 86 over line 93. Thus, the employee number word being recirculated through search register 72 is compared with each employee number word read from the employee number track 60 of the drum 24 and gated through as the main store output MSO to the other input of the comparator 86. If and when comparison is achieved, indicating that the employee number searched for is indeed stored in the employee number track 60, a comparator output signal COM is applied to the search and output control circuit 90 over line 94.

While this search operation is being carried out, the address words read from the drum address track 26 and entered into the address register 30 are read out during the next word time as AUA on line 87 for entry into an address extension register 96. Thus, each address word read into address register 30 appears one word time later in the address extension register 96. As was explained in the above-noted copending application, the address words corresponding to the various machine stations are read out from the drum one word time in advance of the time when the corresponding static and dynamic data words recorded on the magnetic drum 24 become accessible. This is done in order to provide time for operation of the decoder-scanner 32 and the switching logic circuitry 22.

When comparison is achieved in comparator 86, the output signal COM signals this fact to the search output control circuit 90. In response thereto the search and output control circuit 90 supplies an output GOS over line 97 effective to disable the address extension register 96 at a time when the address word corresponding to the located employee number is held in the address extension register. As a consequence, address words are no longer shifted through the address extension register 96 and the address word corresponding to the located employee number is retained therein.

At this point the address word retained in the address extension register 96 is applied over connection 98 to one input of a comparator 100 for comparison with the address words serially read into the address register 30 from the drum address track 26. Thus, as the machine station 20 corresponding to the located employee number is interrogated in each cycle, comparison between the contents of the address register 30 and the address extension register 96 is detected by the comparator 100. As a result, a selected address signal SAD is generated on comparator output line 101.

It will thus be seen that the selected address signal SAD appears at a time when the static and dynamic data words as well as the address word ssociated with the located employee number are available as main store outputs MSO at the output of the static/dynamic data synchronizer 80.

Assume, for example, that the console operator desires to determine what job number the located employee is working on. The read/write gated amplifier 66 and the static/dynamic data synchronizer are appropriately conditioned from the track select circuitry 76 such that job number words are gated through as main store outputs MSG on output line 83 connected also to the input of a data register 102. A shift control circuit 104 is connected to receive the selected address signal SAD from the comparator over line 101. When the selected address signal SAD occurs, the shift control circuit 104 conditions the data register 102 over line 105 to accept the job number then appearing as the main store input MSO. Thus, the job number read into the data register 102 is associated with the located employee number. This job number word may be transmitted over cable 107 to a data display 108 for optical presentation to the console operator.

If it is then desired to know the number of pieces that this particular employee made, the track select circuitry 76 is conditioned so as to in turn condition the static/ dynamic data synchronizer 80 allowing piece count words to be gated through as main store outputs MSO. When the selected address signal SAD occurs, the associated piece count word is then the main store output M50 and the shift control circuit 104 conditions the data register 102 over line 105 to accept it. It can then be displayed to the console operator in the data display unit 108.

It will thus be seen that the console operator may select any static or dynamic data word from which he desires to know the static or dynamic data associated thereto by entering the data word to be located in the search register 72. A search mode is instituted and when comparison is achieved in comparator 86, the selected address signal SAD is developed to provide ready access to all data words associated with the located data word.

The occasion often arises when it is desired to enter a particular data word into a selected word location on the drum 24. According to the present invention this can be done also by the keyboard entry circuit 68. In the carrying out of an entry mode, the console operator first enters a selected data word associated with the data word to be entered by way of the keyboard entry circuit 68 into the search register 72 in order to locate the appropriate area on the drum 24. A search operation is then performed in the manner outlined above in order to derive the appropriated selected address signal SAD. If at this point a second keyboard entry is made by way of the keyboard entry circuit 68, the search and output control circuit 90 conditions the shift control circuit 104 over line 110 such that the second keyboard entry is made in the data register 102 over lines 71 and 111 rather than the search register 72. This entry into the data register 102 is the word which is to be recorded on the drum 24. From the control panel 74, the track select circuitry 76 and the search and output control circuit 90 are conditioned such that the shift control circuit 104 under the synchronization of the selected address signal SAD empties the word held in the data register 102 onto output line 112 as a main store input MSI. It is seen from FIGURE lA that output line 112 is connected to the read/write gated amplifier 66, the piece count logic circuitry 38 and the time count logic circuitry 48. The track select circuitry 76 suitably conditions the appropriate one of these circuits over control cable 114 such that the data word read from the data register 102 is recorded in the proper track on the magnetic drum 24. The proper location of the recorded data word in a particular data track on the drum is insured by the selected address signal SAD.

As an additional operating mode of the system of the present invention, data words read out from the magnetic drum 24 into the data register 102 are transferred over connection 115 to an output register 116 for transmission over cable 117 to an on-line output device 118, such as a teletypewriter. This output mode may be carried out either selectively or automatically when all of the static and dynamic data words for all of the machine stations 20 are collated into messages and transmitted to the output device 118 for print out. In the selective output mode, the machine station selected for output is located by instituting a search operation as generally described above. Once the selected machine station is located, the selected address signal SAD becomes available for locating the associated static and dynamic data words recorded on the magnetic drum 24. The track select circuitry 76 is then conditioned from the control panel 74 to sequentially select the various drum tracks for readout in a desired message order. The entry of the proper data word into the data register 102, once track selection has been made by the track select circuitry 76 in each instance, is insured by the selected address signal SAD. Once the data register 102 is filled with each data word, the search and output control circuit 90, in response to signals from the output device 118 over connection 120, controls the shift control circuit 104 to transfer the data word to an output register 116 digit by digit for transmission over cable 117 to the output device 118.

In the automatic or all output mode, the search and output control circuit 90 conditions the address extension register 96 such that it holds the address word for the first machine station 20, whose static and dynamic data is to be first transmitted to the output device in a predetermined message output sequence. When a complete message for the first machine station has been transmitted to the output device 118, the search and output control circuit 90 controls the address extension register 96 with the signal GUS sent on line 97 to accept and hold the address word corresponding to the second machine station 20 in the message output sequence. The same operation is repeated until the messages for all of the machine stations 20 have been transmitted to the output device 118.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Drum layout-The individual words stored on the magnetic drum 24 and processed by the disclosed embodiment of the present invention are comprised of seven digits. A seven digit word length could then accommodate a seven digit employee number or a seven digit machine number. Each digit of the word includes five binary coded bits which express the digit in binary coded decimal (BCD) format. The bits making up each digit are arranged with the positional significance l, 2, 4 and 8 in the binary code format. The fifth bit is an odd parity bit for error checking purposes. With five bits per digit and seven digits per word, each word is thirty-five bits in length. For purposes of the present disclosure, a message is assumed to comprise five words, all of which pertain to one machine station 20. Accordingly, a message is then 175 bits in length.

It will be further assumed that the circumference of the drum 24 is such that a single circumferential track has the capacity to hold one hundred seven-digit words. Accordingly, the drum 24 has the capacity to handle the address words DAD for one hundred machine stations 20 in a single address track. Similarly, the employee numbers for one hundred machine stations could be handled in a single circumferential track. The same is true of machine numbers and job numbers. The piece and time count word tracks are split up into two separate tracks each as specifically disclosed in the above-noted copending application.

In some installations, the system may be called upon to service more than one hundred machine stations. Additional drum data tracks are then used. Track switching is preferably employed in order that all of the data words of a particular type are handled by the same data processing circuitry. Thus, during one drum revolution the first one hundred machine stations are intenrogated, the second one hundred machine stations are interrogated during the next drum revolution, etc. After all the machine stations are interrogated, the sequence is repeated. By the same token, data words stored on the drum are accessible only once in each sequence or system operating cycle consisting of two, three, or perhaps four drum spins. At the same time, the drum address track 26 (FIGURE 1A) remains as a single circumferential track with the hundreds digit of the address words being generated externally under the control of a counter counting the drum spins in each system cycle. The address words including this externally generated hundreds digit are decoded in the decoderscanner 32 (FIGURE IE) to energize a particular scanner output line 34; there being one such output line for each machine station.

The physical layout showing the positional relationship of the bits, digits and words as recorded on the drum 24 is shown in FIGURE 2. The address words recorded in the address track 26 are recorded consecutively from 00 to 99 for the one hundred machine stations. The digit makeup of the address word 21 is shown in FIGURE 3. Of the seven digit slots shown for address word 21, digit slot A, which is recorded and read out first, is the least siginficant digit slot, while digit slot G, recorded and read out last, is the most significant digit slot. Since each address word DAD is only two digits long, the least significant digit of the address word is recorded in digit slot C while the most significant digit is recorded in digit slot D. Accordingly, for address word 21, the decimal l is recorded serially in digit slot C in BCD format, least significant bit first, while the decimal 2 is similarly recorded in digit slot D. The reason that the address word DAD is recorded in digit slots C and D is to allow the digit times corresponding to digit slots E, F and G for the address register 30 and the decoder-scanner 32 to process the address words.

As seen in FIGURE 2, the data words for the 20th machine station are recorded in parallel drum tracks 40, 50, 60, 62 and 64 in word slot locations vertically aligned under the address word for the 21st machine station. Consequently, the address word for the 20th machine station is read out in advance to prepare the system for processing all of the data words concerned with that machine station when they become accessible as recorded on the drum 24 one Word time later.

As seen below the drum 24 in FIGURE 2, the seven digit slots making up a single word are blown up to show the binary coded decimal (BCD) format in which the individual bits of the seven digits are recorded and read out serially on a drum track, least significant bit, least significant digit first.

Logic definiti0ns.ln the operation of the disclosed embodiment of the invention, a logical one in the binary code format is expressed by a negative signal level of from 8 to l2 volts while a logical zero is expressed by a zero or ground signal level, in addition, the logic circuits interpret an open or floating input line as a logical one.

The various logic circuits used in the system and apparatus of the invention are shown in FIGURE 3 at (A) 

